Custom Furniture: Creating the Library Brand

Courtesy of Brodart Creative

Today’s libraries have become more than a hub for information. They have transformed from a stale, potentially unapproachable environment into a destination spot where traditional resources and technology converge to create a library that’s above and beyond that of yesteryear.

This trend has also enticed many facility owners to turn their back on conventional cookie-cutter libraries and welcome more concept-driven environments with open arms. With this newfound interest, libraries across the nation have looked to custom furniture to satisfy their taste for something different—to create a look and feel they can call their own! Brodart Furniture, a forward-thinking contract library furniture manufacturer, has teamed with Creative Arts, a master of creating innovative interiors, to provide libraries with a level of customization designed to satisfy this craving for the extraordinary! Introducing Brodart Creative.

“As we know, patrons are expecting more and more from their libraries. That’s why Brodart Creative was born,” said Chris Frantz, Brodart Creative’s marketing manager. “Over the past couple of years, more libraries have been looking for ways to make their facility their own. Whether it’s a groundbreaking entranceway to a children’s area or a circulation desk with a colorful illustration, Brodart Creative has become a one-stop-shop for today’s libraries.”

The movement toward custom has spurred a seemingly endless potential for customization. The fact is—when it comes to outfitting a library, you simply can’t fit a round peg into a square hole. Every library serves a diverse audience that’s unique to its school, university, or community. Technology demands are different. The focus on children’s material, the size of the general collection, the depth of audio and visual being presented; all this and more must be considered when planning a new construction or renovation. Hence, diverse needs call for flexible furniture solutions.

For example, Brodart Furniture offers “starters” and “adders” for most tables and workstations. This means libraries begin with a starter and can purchase adders in order to fulfill the necessary space requirements. As patron needs become more and more diverse, library furniture also needs to take this same approach.

One of Brodart’s newest creations, the 2be! Series is an excellent example of how manufacturers are evolving their processes to stay ahead of the curve. Released in 2007, 2be! is another effort to introduce even more flexibility into the library. 2be! was designed to accommodate libraries looking for a flexible table solution. This collection offers the versatility of four interchangeable options. With the clever use of tops, legs, and panels, 2be! easily adapts to accommodate everything from independent study to group interaction and everything in between.

Although Brodart offers a catalog of product offerings, each and every option can be customized with a library’s choice of wood species and finishes, pigment stains, paint colors, fabric options, and more. When you choose custom furniture, there’s truly no such thing as a standard product.

Select paint that matches your school colors, add a logo inlay or cutout, or customize the end panels to complement the building’s architecture, the plethora of available personalization opportunities makes it easy to understand why the days of buying off the shelf have fallen by the wayside.

Ways To Brand Your Library

• Back to basics: Does your library have a logo? If not, incorporate one in your signage, on your library cards, and throughout your facility. A logo should be a recognizable representation of your facility.
• Create a destination: Design your facility around a theme; all areas should complement one another in order to create a well-rounded and appealing concept.
• Think outside the walls: Bring something unique about your community into your library. Think about what is your area known for and incorporate this into your design.
• Keep things fresh: Although consistency in look and feel of a library is key, providing fresh and relevant information is always an important part of appealing to your patrons. Reserve an area for current events that can be updated monthly.
• Play the name game: When you establish a concept within your library, name the various areas so they are centered on an underlying theme. For example, if you establish an aquatic theme, name your children’s area The Coral Cove.

In addition to a seemingly endless potential for personalization, partnering with a custom furniture organization, such as Brodart, opens the door to a full-scope of enhanced service offerings. For example, Brodart takes great pride in providing a 360° approach to all new projects.

At the onset, Brodart spends a great deal of time with our clients to ensure all project goals are outlined and considered throughout the entire process—from planning to opening day. This level of understanding allows Brodart to recommend quality solutions that complement the established design scheme while ensuring patrons’ needs are being met. Brodart also offers design services to allow customers to evaluate potential layout options. Brodart’s hallmarked customer service, backed by nearly 50 of years of manufacturing expertise, adds another layer of value to the custom furniture equation.

Why Custom?

• Most custom manufacturers take the time to understand your vision and breathe life into it!
• Many custom manufacturers provide design/layout services.
• You can explore the potential for “branded” or “destination” libraries.
• The sky is the limit. Say good-bye to the cookie cutter mentality!
• Custom manufacturers stand behind their products and often provide steadfast warranties.
• If you need to order additional products, specifications are in place to ensure consistency.
• All products can be purchased from the same manufacturer, eliminating the potential for inconsistencies.
• Dabble with differentiated design. Select your custom paint colors, wood stains and wood species, fabric colors and patterns, as well as additional finishing options.

Meeting your patrons’ needs has become more and more difficult with each passing year. The good news is that your industry partners are evolving to meet these needs head-on. Furniture manufacturers like Brodart can bring a handsome package to the table. The bad news is…with all the options available today, deciding on the solutions that are right for your increasingly savvy patrons may have become more challenging than ever before.

www.brodartfurniture.com